It was a great honour and pleasure for Karasac Kali to play host once more to Guro Besar Ibu Rita Suwanda of Mande Muda this summer. Guro Rita is one of the world’s leading exponents of Indonesian Penck Silat and is the head of her family system Mande Muda. It is an amazing opportunity for us to train extensively in this amazing Art and have the guidance and expertise of a truly great instructor Ibu Rita.

The seminar was a chance for those familiar and even those less familiar with Silat to gain a valuable insight into Mande Muda as a whole and the subsystems within that create this eclectic art.

At the very root of Mande Muda are the strong foundations of Chimande – a system from West Java characterised with strong hand techniques and rigorous conditioning. Techniques are traditionally learnt through two mand drills (Djurus) and applications. From the entry techniques employed by Chimande the students progressed to a variety of locking and breaking techniques identified by the Rikasan style. Rikasan literally translated to mean “break”. Joint locks to the wrists & elbows were employed from the Chimande entries and to potentially devastating effect.

Once Inside the opponents defences the practitioners employed Sybandhar techniques (inside fighting) using pressure point strikes (toktok) & these were developed and practiced through a series of partner drills not dissimilar to Chi Sau or sticky hands. It was interesting to note the direct approach employed by this style not dissimilar to wing chun theories regarding protection of centre line and direct striking as well as simultaneous attack and defence principles.

The following day the seminar concentrated on the expansive system of Chikalong employing outside fighting and large circular techniques. Defences against all manner of kicks and punches were practiced.
Once the opponent was tripped or thrown the group then spent time learning principles from the ground fighting style of Hari Mau (Tiger Style) using a complex series of leg locks and breaks.

The day concluded with everyone receiving a crash course in the Palaredan dance from the Chikalong system. For those in the group who like to dance this was a great opportunity.

A big thanks to all those who took time out to attend the seminar, we really appreciate your support, without you these events simply cannot take place.